Local elected employee: absence and credits of hours
Verified 01 January 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The employee holding a local mandate can benefit from absence authorizations and a credit of hours allowing him to fulfill his obligations as an elected official. These rights vary according to the mandate of the employee (elected municipal, departmental or regional).
Municipal elected
If the employee is a member of a municipal council, the employer must give him the necessary time to exercise his mandate.
Regardless of the leave of absence granted to them, mayors, deputies and municipal councilors are entitled to a credit of hours allowing them to have the time necessary for the administration of the municipality.
Object
The employee's leave of absence is granted for the following meetings:
- Plenary Sessions of the City Council
- Meetings of the committees of which it is a member
- Meetings of the legislative assemblies and offices of the bodies where he has been appointed to represent the municipality
- National Commemorations and Protocol Ceremonies
Duration
The duration of absences is not defined in advance. The employee must have the necessary time to travel to and participate in the meetings and sessions to which he is invited.
Steps
The employee must inform his employer in writing as soon as he is aware of the date and duration of the planned absence to attend and participate in the sessions and meetings to which he is invited.
Situation of the employee
The employer is not obliged to pay for the employee's time away.
Losses of income incurred by the municipal employee who does not receive any civil service allowances may be compensated by the municipality.
This compensation is limited to 100 hours per year. Each hour shall be remunerated to a maximum of €18.03.
This period of absence is assimilated to a period of actual work. It shall be taken into account for the calculation of seniority and paid leave entitlements.
An employee who is absent during his term of office as an elected official cannot be punished (dismissal, professional downgrading or disciplinary sanction).
Absence to participate in an election campaign
An employee running for election may also be granted leave to participate in the election campaign.
Conditions
The employee must be a candidate for a local mandate.
No seniority requirement for the employee is required.
Duration
The number of working days of authorized absence is fixed at 20.
Steps
The employee notifies his employer at least 24 hours before the start of each absence (in writing or orally). The employer cannot refuse the employee's request for absence unless the 24-hour deadline is not respected.
Situation of the employee
If the employee so requests, the duration of his/her absences may be counted against paid leave, within the limit of the rights acquired in this capacity on the date of the first ballot.
When not counted against paid leave, absences are not paid. In this case, they may be recovered, in agreement with the employer.
The days of absence, paid or unpaidfor participation in an election campaign shall be treated as a period of actual work. They are taken into account for the calculation of seniority and paid leave entitlements.
At the beginning and at the end of his term of office, the local elected employee can benefit from an interview with his employer.
The interview covers the practical arrangements for exercising the employee's mandate and professional activity and his right to training.
Please note
The employee elected municipal, mayor or deputy mayor, can request the suspension of his employment contract if he justifies a minimum seniority of 1 year in the company on the date of taking up his duties.
The employee may apply to be reinstated in his former job with an equivalent remuneration.
Beneficiaries
The municipal employee receives a credit of hours. This credit may be used for:
- the administrative management of the municipality or body with which it represents it,
- the preparation of meetings of the bodies in which it sits.
Duration
The duration of the authorized hours credit varies according to the functions performed and the size of the municipality, under the following conditions:
Functions of the elected official | Size of the municipality | Legal duration of hours credit (per quarter) |
|---|---|---|
City Councilor | Less than 3,500 inhabitants | 10.30 a.m. |
Between 3,500 and 9,999 inhabitants | 10.30 a.m. | |
Between 10,000 and 29,999 inhabitants | 9 pm | |
Between 30,000 and 99,999 inhabitants | 35 hours | |
100 000 inhabitants or more | 70 hours | |
Deputy Mayor | Less than 10,000 inhabitants | 70 hours |
Between 10,000 and 29,999 inhabitants | 122:30 p.m. | |
30,000 or more inhabitants | 140 hours | |
Mayor | Less than 10,000 inhabitants | 122:30 p.m. |
10,000 or more inhabitants | 140 hours |
In the case of part-time work, this credit for hours shall be reduced in proportion to the reduction in working time provided for the job in question.
Unused hours are not carried over from one quarter to the next.
The cumulative duration of the authorized absences and the credit of hours shall not exceed 803 hours 30 per year.
Please note
The credit of hours may be increased by a maximum of 30%, especially in the municipalities capital of department and district or classified tourist resorts or disaster.
Approach
The employee informs his employer in writing 3 days at least before he was gone. This writing must include the following:
- Date and duration of the envisaged absence
- Duration of the credit of hours to which he is still entitled for the current quarter.
The employer may not refuse or postpone the employee's request, unless it exceeds the total authorized period of absence (credit of hours and cumulative absence authorizations) of 803 hours 30 per year.
Situation of the employee
The employer is not obliged to pay for the employee's time away.
Losses of income incurred by the municipal employee who does not receive any civil service allowances may be compensated by the municipality.
This compensation is limited to 100 hours per year. Each hour shall be remunerated to a maximum of €18.03.
This period of absence is assimilated to a period of actual work. It shall be taken into account for the calculation of seniority and paid leave entitlements.
An employee who is absent during his term of office as an elected official cannot be punished (dismissal, professional downgrading or disciplinary sanction).
Departmental elected
If the employee is a member of a departmental council, the employer must give him the necessary time to exercise his mandate.
Regardless of their leave of absence, departmental presidents and councilors are entitled to a credit of hours allowing them to have the time necessary for the administration of the department.
Object
The employee's absence permits are provided to go and participate in:
- plenary meetings of the departmental council
- meetings of the committees of which it is a member
- meetings of the legislative assemblies and bureaus of the agencies where he has been designated to represent the department
- National Commemorations and Protocol Ceremonies
Duration
The duration of absences is not defined in advance. The employee must have the necessary time to travel to and participate in the meetings and sessions to which he is invited.
Approach
The employee must inform his employer in writing as soon as he is aware of the date and duration of the planned absence to attend and participate in the sessions and meetings to which he is invited.
Situation of the employee
The employer is not obliged to pay for the employee's time away.
Losses of income incurred by the employee elected departmental who does not receive compensation for function may be compensated by the department.
This compensation is limited to 100 hours per year. Each hour shall be remunerated to a maximum of €18.03.
This period of absence is assimilated to a period of actual work. It shall be taken into account for the calculation of seniority and paid leave entitlements.
An employee who is absent during his term of office as an elected official cannot be punished (dismissal, professional downgrading or disciplinary sanction).
Please note
The employee elected departmental, president or vice-president of the departmental council, can request the suspension of his employment contract if he justifies a minimum seniority of 1 year in the company on the date of taking up his duties.
The employee may apply to be reinstated in his former job with an equivalent remuneration.
Absence to participate in an election campaign
An employee running for election may also be granted leave to participate in the election campaign.
Conditions
The employee must be a candidate for a local mandate.
No seniority requirement for the employee is required.
Duration
The number of working days of authorized absence is fixed at 20.
Steps
The employee notifies his employer at least 24 hours before the start of each absence (in writing or orally). The employer cannot refuse the employee's request for absence unless the 24-hour deadline is not respected.
Situation of the employee
If the employee so requests, the duration of his/her absences may be counted against paid leave, within the limit of the rights acquired in this capacity on the date of the first ballot.
When not counted against paid leave, absences are not paid. In this case, they may be recovered, in agreement with the employer.
The days of absence, paid or unpaidfor participation in an election campaign shall be treated as a period of actual work. They are taken into account for the calculation of seniority and paid leave entitlements.
At the beginning and at the end of his term of office, the local elected employee can benefit from an interview with his employer.
The interview covers the practical arrangements for exercising the employee's mandate and professional activity and his right to training.
Beneficiaries
The employee elected departmental benefits from a credit of hours, which can be used for:
- the administrative management of the department or body to which it represents it
- the preparation of meetings of the bodies in which it sits
Duration
The duration of the authorized hours credit varies according to the functions performed, under the following conditions:
Functions of the elected official | Legal duration of hours credit (per quarter) |
|---|---|
Departmental Councilor | 105 hours |
President or Vice-President of the Departmental Council | 140 hours |
In the case of part-time work, this credit for hours shall be reduced in proportion to the reduction in working time provided for the job in question.
Unused hours are not carried over from one quarter to the next.
The cumulative duration of the authorized absences and the credit of hours shall not exceed 803 hours 30 per year.
Steps
The employee informs his employer in writing 3 days at least before he was gone. This writing must include the following:
- Date and duration of the envisaged absence
- Duration of the credit of hours to which he is still entitled for the current quarter.
The employer may not refuse or postpone the employee's request, unless it exceeds the total authorized period of absence (credit of hours and cumulative absence authorizations) of 803 hours 30 per year.
Situation of the employee
The employer is not obliged to pay for the employee's time away.
Losses of income incurred by the employee elected departmental who does not receive compensation for function may be compensated by the department.
This compensation is limited to 100 hours per year. Each hour shall be remunerated to a maximum of €18.03.
This period of absence is assimilated to a period of actual work. It shall be taken into account for the calculation of seniority and paid leave entitlements.
An employee who is absent during his term of office as an elected official cannot be punished (dismissal, professional downgrading or disciplinary sanction).
Regional elected
If the employee is a member of a regional council, the employer must give him the time necessary to exercise his mandate.
Regardless of their leave of absence, regional presidents and councilors are entitled to a credit of hours to allow them to have the time necessary for the administration of the region.
Object
The employee's absence permits are provided to go and participate in:
- plenary meetings of the regional council
- meetings of the committees of which it is a member
- meetings of the legislative assemblies and offices of the agencies where he has been designated to represent the region
- national commemorations and protocol ceremonies
Duration
The duration of absences is not defined in advance. The employee must have the necessary time to travel to and participate in the meetings and sessions to which he is invited.
Approach
The employee must inform his employer in writing as soon as he is aware of the date and duration of the planned absence to attend and participate in the sessions and meetings to which he is invited.
Situation of the employee
The employer is not obliged to pay for the employee's time away.
Losses of income incurred by the regional elected employee who does not receive official allowances may be compensated by the region.
This compensation is limited to 100 hours per year. Each hour shall be remunerated to a maximum of €18.03.
This period of absence is assimilated to a period of actual work. It shall be taken into account for the calculation of seniority and paid leave entitlements.
An employee who is absent during his term of office as an elected official cannot be punished (dismissal, professional downgrading or disciplinary sanction).
Absence to participate in an election campaign
An employee running for election may also be granted leave to participate in the election campaign.
Conditions
The employee must be a candidate for a local mandate.
No seniority requirement for the employee is required.
Duration
The number of working days of authorized absence is fixed at 20.
Steps
The employee notifies his employer at least 24 hours before the start of each absence (in writing or orally). The employer cannot refuse the employee's request for absence unless the 24-hour deadline is not respected.
Situation of the employee
If the employee so requests, the duration of his/her absences may be counted against paid leave, within the limit of the rights acquired in this capacity on the date of the first ballot.
When not counted against paid leave, absences are not paid. In this case, they may be recovered, in agreement with the employer.
The days of absence, paid or unpaidfor participation in an election campaign shall be treated as a period of actual work. They are taken into account for the calculation of seniority and paid leave entitlements.
At the beginning and at the end of his term of office, the local elected employee can benefit from an interview with his employer.
The interview covers the practical arrangements for exercising the employee's mandate and professional activity and his right to training.
Please note
The employee elected regional, president or vice-president of the regional council, can request the suspension of his employment contract if he justifies a minimum seniority of 1 year in the company on the date of taking up his duties.
The employee may apply to be reinstated in his former job with an equivalent remuneration.
Beneficiaries
The regional elected employee benefits from a credit of hours, which can be used for:
- the administrative management of the region or body to which it represents it,
- the preparation of meetings of the bodies in which it sits.
Duration
The duration of the authorized hours credit varies according to the functions performed, under the following conditions:
Functions of the elected official | Legal duration of hours credit (per quarter) |
|---|---|
Regional Advisor | 105 hours |
President or Vice-President of the Regional Council | 140 hours |
In the case of part-time work, this credit for hours shall be reduced in proportion to the reduction in working time provided for the job in question.
Unused hours are not carried over from one quarter to the next.
The cumulative duration of the authorized absences and the credit of hours shall not exceed 803 hours 30 per year.
Approach
The employee informs his employer in writing 3 days at least before he was gone. This writing must include the following:
- Date and duration of the envisaged absence
- Duration of the credit of hours to which he is still entitled for the current quarter.
The employer may not refuse or postpone the employee's request, unless it exceeds the total authorized period of absence (credit of hours and cumulative absence authorizations) of 803 hours 30 per year.
Situation of the employee
The employer is not obliged to pay for the employee's time away.
Losses of income incurred by the regional elected employee who does not receive official allowances may be compensated by the region.
This compensation is limited to 100 hours per year. Each hour shall be remunerated to a maximum of €18.03.
This period of absence is assimilated to a period of actual work. It shall be taken into account for the calculation of seniority and paid leave entitlements.
An employee who is absent during his term of office as an elected official cannot be punished (dismissal, professional downgrading or disciplinary sanction).
Elected from a municipal council
Elected from a departmental council
Elected from a regional council